By BILL SNIER
MINERVA — Scotty Shields has 14 800 series in his career, including a high of 858.
But the 815 he rolled recently in the Consumers National Bank Classic Trio league at Minerva Bowl may had admittedly been the “quietest” one.
“No one in the center even new what I was doing,” said the 36-year-old Minerva right-hander, who put together games of 279, 257 and 279 for his latest 800 in the eight-lane center.
“Kenny Lambert came up to me after and asked me what I shot. I told him 815, but really no one knew I was going for 800.”
Shields, who used his Storm Virtual Reality Blackout for his milestone, left a 4 pin after having the front seven strikes in Game 1 and a 10-pin after the front five in Game 3.
“I had a couple of 10-pins in the middle game,” Shields said. “But, really, I didn’t move all night. Lanes 7 and 8 is my favorite pair in the house.”
He did make a move to start the night during practice.
“I started out in practice and moved two boards left. It seemed to be a little drier, so I figured I would move then,” said Shields, who averages 228 and 231 in two leagues at Minerva Bowl. “It actually worked out because no one else was throwing my line.”
Shields was throwing 20 (board) out to around 10, but letting off on his speed.
“More speed was not carrying in practice, so I decided to move left, slow it down and just roll the ball,” Shields said.
Shields did not have an 800 series during the 2023-24 season, but did record five 300 games at Minerva Bowl. Has he been happy with his play so far this season?
“Yes and no. At times, I’ve been missing inside because my timing and steps have been off,” said Shields, an Abrasive Supply Co. employee and a volunteer with the Minerva Fire Department.
“I’ve been working on slowing myself down. Once I get fast, I can whiff the head pin easily. When that happens, I know what I need to do. But this is the best I’ve thrown it all year.”
Shields bowls on fresh oil during his Friday league, while the Consumers National Bank league follows a women’s league on Thursday.
“Bowling second shift, I do have to make some adjustments there,” Shields said. “But spare shooting is a problem. I miss too many easy spares. The 10-pin kills me a lot.”
But Shields knew where he stood after the sixth frame of Game 3, even if no one else in the center did.
“There was no pressure at all. It’s just like a 300 for me … if it happens, it happens,” Shields said. “I just had to keep doing what I was doing all night, have fun and just roll the ball.”
It turned into a milestone during a “quiet” night of bowling.